The Dolomites are the most beautiful hiking mountains in Europe. Pale limestone towers rise straight out of green meadows, a dense network of marked trails links one mountain hut to the next, and cable cars lift you onto high plateaus in minutes, so even a gentle walker can spend the day among the peaks. The whole range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in summer it is laced with paths for every level, from flat meadow strolls to the famous Alta Via 1 and the iron-runged via ferratas of the First World War.
Where you stay makes all the difference. The best hiking hotels in the Dolomites put the trail on the doorstep, so you can start before the day visitors arrive and come back to a spa, a good dinner and a view of the peaks turning pink at sunset. These are our favourites, from two high mountain huts to five-star spa hotels in the valleys.
The best hiking hotels in the Dolomites at a glance
- Best for the Tre Cime: Rifugio Auronzo
- Best for sunset and the Alta Via 1: Rifugio Lagazuoi
- Best for an early start at a famous lake: Hotel Lago di Braies
- Best for gentle meadow walks: Adler Mountain Lodge
- Best for families and guided hikes: Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti
- Best for trails from the door and a design spa: FORESTIS
- Best for food after a long day: Hotel La Perla
- Best for an active programme: Hotel Hubertus
- Best for history and Cortina's trails: Hotel de len
- Best for the Brenta Dolomites: Hotel Chalet del Sogno
1. Rifugio Auronzo, Tre Cime di Lavaredo
Best for: the Dolomites' most famous hike, photographers, hikers on a budget
The circuit around the Tre Cime di Lavaredo is the classic Dolomites walk, and Rifugio Auronzo, at 2,333 metres at the foot of the three great towers, is where it begins. The loop is about 9.5 kilometres and takes around three and a half hours, with roughly 400 metres of ascent, passing Rifugio Lavaredo, the Forcella Lavaredo saddle, Rifugio Locatelli, with the most famous view of the north faces, and the Langalm hut. By late morning the trail is busy, but if you sleep at Auronzo you can walk it at dawn and watch the towers glow at sunset after the last cars have gone down the toll road. The hut is run by the Italian Alpine Club, with private rooms and dormitories, and opens in summer only, from around late May or June to early October. Read our review of Rifugio Auronzo.
2. Rifugio Lagazuoi, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Best for: sunsets, history, Alta Via 1 trekkers
Perched on the summit ridge of Monte Lagazuoi at 2,752 metres, Rifugio Lagazuoi is the highest hut around Cortina and has one of the great panoramas of the Alps, reached in a few minutes by cable car from the Passo Falzarego. It sits on the Alta Via 1, so many guests arrive on foot, part of the way through Europe's classic hut-to-hut trek. The most memorable walk from the door is the descent through the Lagazuoi tunnels, carved by soldiers during the First World War, back down to the pass; take a head torch and a helmet. Rooms are simple, from private doubles to dormitories, but the terrace, the hearty food and the highest sauna in the Dolomites make it unforgettable. Read our review of Rifugio Lagazuoi.
3. Hotel Lago di Braies, Braies valley
Best for: dawn walks, photographers, couples
Hotel Lago di Braies is the only hotel on the shore of the emerald lake, and the lake is the official start of the Alta Via 1. Most visitors arrive in the middle of the day, but hotel guests can walk the shoreline path, about an hour around the whole lake, while mist still lies on the water and the wooden boats wait at the jetty. More ambitious hikers can climb towards the Seekofel and its hut, or explore the high Prato Piazza plateau nearby. In peak summer, road access to the lake is restricted, so check arrangements when booking. Read our review of Hotel Lago di Braies.
4. Adler Mountain Lodge, Alpe di Siusi
Best for: gentle walkers, couples, a design-led retreat
The Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) is Europe's largest high-alpine meadow, more than 50 square kilometres of pastures, forests and hay barns at around 1,800 metres, with the Sassolungo and the Sciliar rising on every side. It is the easiest beautiful walking in the Dolomites: wide paths, gentle gradients and mountain huts serving lunch every hour or so. Adler Mountain Lodge stands right on the plateau, with suites and chalets of wood and glass and an infinity pool facing the peaks. The road onto the plateau is closed to private traffic for much of the day, which keeps it peaceful; guests can arrange access, so check the details when booking. Read our review of Adler Mountain Lodge.
5. Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti, Ortisei
Best for: families, guided hikes, a big spa
In the centre of Ortisei, the main village of Val Gardena, the Adler Spa Resort has been run by the same family for generations. The cable car to Seceda, with its jagged view of the Odle ridge, is a short walk away, as is the lift to the Alpe di Siusi, and the hotel runs a programme of guided hikes. After a day on the trails there are indoor and outdoor pools and a large spa, and family suites make it an easy choice with children. It pairs well with a few nights at its sister property, Adler Mountain Lodge. Read our review of Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti.
6. FORESTIS, Plose above Brixen
Best for: couples, wellness, walking straight from the door
FORESTIS stands alone at around 1,800 metres on the southern slope of the Plose, above the cathedral town of Brixen, with views across to the Dolomites. In summer and autumn, forest paths and high trails start from the door, and the daily programme includes guided forest walks. Back at the hotel, a 2,000-square-metre spa, spruce-lined Tower Suites and forest-inspired cooking make it one of the most restorative places to stay in South Tyrol. Guests must be 14 or over. Read our review of FORESTIS.
7. Hotel La Perla, Corvara
Best for: food and wine lovers, strong hikers, via ferratas
Corvara, at around 1,570 metres in Alta Badia, sits at the foot of the Sella massif, with lifts climbing straight out of the village to high trails, via ferratas and cycling routes. Hotel La Perla is a five-star Ladin house in a quiet corner of the village, close to the lifts, with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a famous wine cellar and the Salus Per Aquam spa, rebuilt in 2024. It is the place to come back to after a long day in the mountains. Early July brings the Maratona dles Dolomites road race, and September is quieter, with settled weather. Read our review of Hotel La Perla.
8. Hotel Hubertus, Olang
Best for: an active holiday, spa lovers, families
Above Olang, at the foot of the Kronplatz, Hotel Hubertus is best known for its Sky Pool, which juts out over the valley, and its 7,000-square-metre spa park. It is also one of the most active hotels in the Dolomites, with a summer programme of guided hikes, mountaineering, biking, forest bathing and yoga. The slopes of the Kronplatz become a network of hiking and biking trails in summer, and the high peaks of the Dolomites are a short drive away. Read our review of Hotel Hubertus.
9. Hotel de len, Cortina d'Ampezzo
Best for: design lovers, history, combining town and trail
Cortina is surrounded by some of the finest hiking in the Dolomites: the Cinque Torri, the Tofane, Lagazuoi and, within easy reach, the Tre Cime and Lago di Braies. Many trails follow the front lines of the First World War, with tunnels, trenches and open-air museums along the way. Hotel de len is Cortina's most stylish small hotel, with 22 rooms and a rooftop spa in the centre of town, so you can hike all day and walk out to dinner in the evening. For a classic alternative, Hotel de la Poste has been the heart of the Corso Italia for generations. Read our review of Hotel de len.
10. Hotel Chalet del Sogno, Madonna di Campiglio
Best for: the Brenta Dolomites, via ferratas, couples
West of the Adige valley, the Brenta Dolomites are wilder and less visited than the famous peaks of South Tyrol. Hotel Chalet del Sogno is an intimate, family-run five-star chalet in Madonna di Campiglio, with just 18 rooms and a small spa. In summer, trails lead into the Brenta for hiking and mountain biking, from the easy walk to Lake Nambino, where the peaks are reflected in still water, to the Via delle Bocchette, one of the most famous networks of via ferratas in the Alps. Read our review of Hotel Chalet del Sogno.
Coming soon
The Mandarin Oriental Cristallo, Cortina's historic grand hotel, is due to reopen in early 2027 and will be one of the most luxurious bases for summer in the Dolomites.
How to choose a hiking hotel in the Dolomites
Sleep high for the classic hikes. If the Tre Cime circuit or the Alta Via 1 is the reason for your trip, a night at Rifugio Auronzo or Rifugio Lagazuoi lets you walk before the crowds and see the peaks at sunset and dawn. Huts are simple, with shared bathrooms in many rooms, so many people combine one or two nights high up with a hotel in the valley.
Choose the Alpe di Siusi for gentle walking. For wide, easy paths, flower meadows and long lunches at huts, the plateau is hard to beat, and Adler Mountain Lodge puts you in the middle of it.
Choose a village for variety. Ortisei, Corvara, Cortina and Madonna di Campiglio all have lifts that lift you to high trails in minutes, so you can choose a different walk every day, then come back to a spa and a choice of restaurants.
Look for a hotel that guides. Hotels such as Hubertus, Adler Spa Resort and FORESTIS run guided hikes, and most five-star hotels can book a private mountain guide, essential for via ferratas if you are new to them.
When to go hiking in the Dolomites
The summer hiking season runs from mid-June to late September. Most cable cars and mountain huts open in mid-to-late June and close in late September or early October, and snow can linger on high trails and passes into early July. July brings wildflowers in the meadows, and July and August are the warmest and busiest months, when the Tre Cime and Lago di Braies are crowded by mid-morning and road access to both is controlled. September is our favourite month: settled weather, quieter trails and, towards the end of the month, larches turning gold. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in high summer, so start early and plan to be off exposed ridges by early afternoon.
Tips for hiking in the Dolomites
- Book huts early. Popular huts on the Alta Via 1 and around the Tre Cime fill months ahead for July and August.
- Check lift times. Cable cars set the length of your day; the last ride down is often in the late afternoon.
- Carry cash. Many mountain huts are cash only, or have unreliable card machines.
- Bring the right kit for via ferratas. You need a helmet, harness and via ferrata lanyard, and a guide if you are a beginner.
- Use the lift and guest passes. Many valleys offer a summer pass or guest card that includes local lifts and buses, so ask your hotel.
For more summer ideas, see our summer mountain hotels, our guide to the Dolomites and our pick of the best hiking hotels in the Alps.
Mountain Muses
New hotel listings and inspiration each week, direct from the mountains to your inbox
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hotel for hiking in the Dolomites?
It depends on the hiking you want. Rifugio Auronzo is best for the Tre Cime circuit, Rifugio Lagazuoi for sunsets and the Alta Via 1, Adler Mountain Lodge for gentle meadow walks on the Alpe di Siusi, and Hotel Hubertus or Adler Spa Resort Dolomiti for guided hikes and a big spa.
When is the best time to hike in the Dolomites?
From mid-June to late September, when cable cars and mountain huts are open. July brings wildflowers, July and August are the busiest months, and September is quieter, with settled weather and golden larches at the end of the month.
Where should I stay for the Tre Cime di Lavaredo hike?
Rifugio Auronzo, at the foot of the Tre Cime and the start of the circuit, lets you walk before the crowds and see the towers at sunset and dawn. Cortina d'Ampezzo and Lago di Braies are good bases for day trips.
How long is the Tre Cime di Lavaredo circuit?
The loop from Rifugio Auronzo is about 9.5 kilometres and takes around three and a half hours, with roughly 400 metres of ascent and descent.
Can you hike in the Dolomites without a car?
Yes. Villages such as Ortisei, Corvara and Cortina have lifts and buses to the main trailheads, and many valleys offer summer guest cards that include local transport. A car helps for reaching the more remote valleys and passes.
Do I need a guide to hike in the Dolomites?
Not for marked trails, which are well signposted. A guide is recommended for via ferratas if you are a beginner, and for glacier routes. Many hotels run guided hikes or can book a private guide.
